CVE-2006-0004 in PowerPoint
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 in Office 2000 SP3 has an interaction with Internet Explorer that allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a PowerPoint presentation that attempts to access objects in the Temporary Internet Files Folder (TIFF).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 when integrated with Internet Explorer, creating a security risk that stems from improper handling of object references during presentation execution. The flaw occurs when a malicious PowerPoint presentation attempts to access objects stored in the Temporary Internet Files Folder, which contains cached web content and temporary files from internet browsing activities. This interaction represents a classic case of insufficient access control and improper object management within the application's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the way PowerPoint handles external object references when presentations are opened through Internet Explorer. When a presentation containing malicious object references is loaded, the application attempts to resolve these references by accessing the Temporary Internet Files Folder without proper authentication or authorization checks. This behavior exposes sensitive information that may be cached in the temporary folder, including cookies, session data, and other potentially confidential information from previous internet sessions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to potentially access sensitive information that should remain isolated within the user's browsing context. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through web-based delivery mechanisms, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system compromise. The exposure of information from the Temporary Internet Files Folder could include authentication tokens, personal data, or other confidential information that may have been cached during web browsing activities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and represents a failure in access control mechanisms. It also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1056.001, involving credential access through application access tokens and cached credentials. Organizations using PowerPoint 2000 in conjunction with Internet Explorer face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users browse the internet and access sensitive information through web applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on restricting the interaction between PowerPoint and Internet Explorer, disabling automatic loading of external objects, and implementing proper access controls for temporary internet files. Users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted presentations, and organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of Microsoft Office that address these security concerns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering can also help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability by blocking malicious presentation files from being loaded in vulnerable environments.